Photo courtesy of Healthy New Albany
Throughout my years of experience, I have heard so many generalizations as they relate to the walking community. Let me share some of these.
Scenario #1: “Oh Phil, I admire how much you walk. When my knees begin to bother me and when my body tells me I should no longer run, I’ll take up walking. That will probably be the case soon, as I’m not getting any younger.”
Phil’s take: So I guess walking is an activity for decrepit old people who are incapacitated due to the suffering that results from chronic joint pain, thereby depriving them the opportunity to benefit from the athleticism and physical benefits that runners – and not walkers – can experience. What a sad state of affairs for this demographic! Pity the poor soul who no longer runs.
Scenario #2: I’m a few miles into my marathon. Of course, I am competing as a walker. As I approach runner after runner, I am met with the same look of surprise accompanied by disbelief as I pass hundreds throughout the race. It is not uncommon to hear a group of runners echo to each other, “That guy is walking faster than we are running. We must really be slow.”
Phil’s take: Is it possible that walkers actually walk faster than many runners can run?
Scenario #3: I’m at a social gathering when a friend who happens to be a runner approaches me, beer in hand, and asks, “How fast can the walkers in your race walk?” I always respond by saying that we have a wide range of times that walkers will average per mile, with the fastest averaging in the 7s, meaning 7 minutes and some seconds per mile. Almost universally, the response is, “I can’t run one mile that fast!”
Phil’s take: Why the surprise? A 7-minute plus mile is generally considered fast, whether for a runner or a walker. Generally speaking, the average person cannot run a mile at a faster pace.
Scenario #4: I’m at a race coordinators meeting when the topic of lining up the participants at the start of a race hits the agenda. The race director states how everyone will line up by times at the start and then adds, “We’ll have the walkers start in the back.” I counter with, “But what if a walker indicates that her/his time is faster than that of a group of runners? Why should the walker be pushed to the rear?”
Phil’s take: I guess discrimination exists among many runners. Fortunately, with the passing of time, wounds are being healed as walkers begin to attain equal rights.
And the conclusion: Walkers rock!
Walkers are here to stay. They are increasing in numbers, whether in races or in adopting fitness protocols. Attitudes toward walkers are changing. It’s cool to walk – at any age.
Walkers are now, more than ever, acknowledged for their athletic prowess. Regarding the health benefits of walking when compared to running, the National Walkers’ Health Study concluded that walking is as good as running in reducing hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Perhaps when I can no longer walk, I will run.
Healthfully,
Phil Heit
Founder and Race Director
New Albany Walking Classic
New Albany Walking Classic Sponsors
Without great sponsors, the New Albany Walking Classic would just be considered “another race.” But the Classic is not just a race – it is an event. It is ongoing. It provides participants with the best value of any similar event held anywhere in the country. And most importantly, the Classic provides a venue for ongoing training through the New Albany Walking Club, with the mission of promoting health through walking, whether for competition or for recreation.
Presenting Sponsor
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Major Sponsor
Aetna
Organizing Sponsors
New Albany Walking Club
Healthy New Albany
Supporting Sponsors
Anomatic
Ascena Retail Group
Beat Squad Entertainment
Bob Evans Farms
Brio Tuscan Grille
Budros, Ruhlin & Roe
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
CityScene Magazine
City of New Albany
Commit to Be Fit
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Ella Restaurant + Bar
Fifty Strong
Franklin County ADAMH
G&J Pepsi-Cola
Halpco Industries
Kroger
LocTote Industrial Bag Co.
Marriott Courtyard Columbus New Albany
Mellow Mushroom
New Albany Chamber of Commerce
New Albany Community Foundation
New Albany Country Club
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Panera Bread
Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
Second Sole
Snowville Creamery
Subway
Tessora
Team in Training
Velvet Ice Cream
Wesley Woods at New Albany
Zest
